(5) And of the Shilonites.--Shilonite means "man of Shiloh," the ancient capital of Ephraim; whereas 1 Chronicles 9:4-6 have to do with Judah. The three sons of Judah, after whom three great sub-tribal divisions were named, were Pharez, Shelah, and Zarah (Genesis 38). The clan of Shelah was called the Shelanite (Numbers 26:20), and that is doubtless the correct reading here (see 1 Chronicles 2:3; 1 Chronicles 4:21), supported as it is by the LXX. (??????) and the Targum.
Asaiah ("Jah hath wrought") is essentially the same as "Maaseiah" ("Work of Jah") in Nehemiah 11:5, where six progenitors are enumerated.
Verse 5. - The Shilonites. These are the descendants of Shelah, youngest son of Judah. In place of the one name Asaiah here, Nehemiah (Nehemiah 11:7) gives a list of seven, among which Maassiah is found, answering to our Asaiah.
9:1-44 Genealogies. - This chapter expresses that one end of recording all these genealogies was, to direct the Jews, when they returned out of captivity, with whom to unite, and where to reside. Here is an account of the good state into which the affairs of religion were put, on the return from Babylon. Every one knew his charge. Work is likely to be done well when every one knows the duty of his place, and makes a business of it. God is the God of order. Thus was the temple a figure of the heavenly one, where they rest not day nor night from praising God, Re 4:8. Blessed be His name, believers there shall, not in turn, but all together, without interruption, praise him night and day: may the Lord make each of us fit for the inheritance of the saints in light.
And of the Shilonites,.... Not called so from the city of Shiloh, which was in Ephraim; whereas these here intended were of the tribe of Judah, and were either the descendants of a man whose name was Shiloni, Nehemiah 11:5 or rather these are the same with the Shelanites, Numbers 26:20 so called from Shelah the son of Judah; and so the Targum here is,"and of the tribe of Shelah:"
Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons; the same with Maaseiah, Nehemiah 11:5.
Asaiah ("Jah hath wrought") is essentially the same as "Maaseiah" ("Work of Jah") in Nehemiah 11:5, where six progenitors are enumerated.
The firstborn.--That is, the leading clan.
His sons.--The members of the clan.
Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons; the same with Maaseiah, Nehemiah 11:5.